This month’s book reviews for Owlets are Short John Silver by Chris Inns and Dave Woods, and Penny Dreadful is a Record Breaker by Joanna Nadin.

Short John Silver – Year 1

The story of Short John Silver tells us what happened to this famous pirate before he grew up! Short John Silver needs the help of Captain Poopdeck and his crew of scoundrel pirates to help him find Treasure Island and he promises they can all share the buried treasure. After their adventures sailing the Seven Seas they are eager to get their hands on their reward. But things aren’t always what they seem! This is a very funny tale on the high seas with super illustrations throughout – ideal for young readers on their own or reading together.

Penny Dreadful is a Record Breaker – Year 2

Penny Dreadful is back with more of her madcap adventures. Penny’s latest brilliant ideas, with the help of her best-friend Cosmo, are tracking down a vampire to take to school for show-and-tell, giving Grandma Overall a surprise sparkly makeover and breaking the world record for something that has never been in the record books before. However dreadful things become, Penny always seems to bounce back to look on the bright side! The three stories about these super characters are absolutely hilarious with fantastic illustrations to complement them.

This month’s book reviews for Owls are The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard, and Adrenaline Rush by Allan Jones.

The Naming of Tishkin Silk – Year 3/4

Griffin Silk is a very unusual boy who finds the children at school rather mean. He lives with his loving family though sadly without his mother and baby sister. Griffin holds a secret in his heart and it is only when he meets Layla and he knows he has found a true friend that he starts to deal with his secret. Will he have the courage of his mythical namesake? And will Griffin and Layla together find a way to bring peace to this young boy? This is a beautifully written and extraordinary story that will move as well as entertain its readers.

Adrenaline Rush – Year 5/6

Zak Archer is a spy working for a secret government agency. In this latest adventure in the Codename Quicksilver series, Zak is working undercover as a stunt double for a Hollywood movie. He and his colleague Wildcat are investigating a link between the producer Elton Dean and a suspected terrorist attack. Zak is aware of the dangers surrounding him but if his cover is blown will he be able to complete his mission? This brilliant story is full of action and is exciting from start to finish. It is a real page-turner of a book.

This month’s book reviews for Owlets are Arthur and the Mystery of the Egg by Johanne Mercier, and The Smug Pug by Anna Wilson.

Arthur and the Mystery of the Egg – Year 1

Arthur finds an egg in his grandparents’ garden. It’s a fairly ordinary egg but when he takes it into the house the grown-ups make a huge fuss. It really is a puzzle where it came from as there are no chickens nearby and they all try to solve that great mystery – which came first, the chicken or the egg? They are in for a big surprise when the egg cracks, leading Arthur to ask the grown-ups another tricky question! This is a lovely story for young readers who are sure to see things from Arthur’s point of view. There are super illustrations throughout the book which is the first in a new series.

The Smug Pug – Year 2

Welcome to Crumbly-under-Edge! Pippa Peppercorn hates the idea of going back to school after the holidays but it is not as bad as she thinks because there is an intriguing new girl at school called Tallulah with an equally intriguing dog, Smug. But when Pippa tells Dash the dachshund at Mrs Fudge’s salon Chop ‘n’ Chat how amazing her new friends are, he is less than impressed. This is a laugh-out-loud story that is packed full of action and fun. The delightfully wacky characters will amuse boys and girls alike.

This month’s book reviews for Owls are Ghost Buddy: How to Scare the Pants Off Your Pets by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver, and Bone Quill by John & Carole E Barrowman.

Ghost Buddy: How to Scare the Pants Off Your Pets – Year 3/4

Billy Broccoli and his ghostly pal Hoover Porterhouse III, also known as Hoove, are off on another adventure. Hoove is seriously lacking in responsibility so Billy makes it his business to help Hoove improve in this area and he decides a good way forward would be to find Hoove a pet to take care of. But Hoove is not really an animal type so will Billy succeed in helping Hoove mend his ways? This is the latest story in this hilarious series. The adventure shared by these unlikely friends is very entertaining and is gripping from beginning to end.

Bone Quill – Year 5/6

Matt and Emily Calder are twins who possess extraordinary powers including the ability to bring paintings to life. In this their second adventure they try to find their mother who has gone missing and they desperately search for the ancient and mysterious bone quill by travelling back in time. Will they be able to stop those who attempt to abuse its power? This is a thrilling story with fantastic characters and settings. It includes references to real and imaginary paintings thereby encouraging an interest in art. It’s a real page-turner of a book.